Hail, fearless Azkals, Gilas Pilipinas
By Recah Trinidad
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 11 Oct 2015
IT didn?t come as a surprise that the Philippine Azkals met a killing test in its bid to stay alive in the World Cup qualifying duel against highly favored North Korea.
The match in Pyongyang finished with 0-0 score on Thursday; but other than earn a point, while momentarily stalling mighty North Korea which has remained unbeaten in the tournament, the Azkals again made the football world know the fighting heart Filipino heroes have been noted and hailed for.
It was, as Cedelph Tupas of the Inquirer reported from the Kim Il Sung Stadium, a tough and terrible challenge, daunting as only a full-scale war could be.
**
The Azkals, tired, had to summon reserves of courage once the North Koreans made an all-out push for a goal, while defenders on the Azkal flank started to suffer cramps in the second half.
Their legs were starting to give in but, at that deathly moment, the Azkals sprang with enviable pride, courage and determination. They refused to be shaken a bit.
Well, the North Koreans by now should have realized the kind of heart that carried the Azkals through one of its greatest tests.
**
It?s the same tested fearlessness, the unshakeable Filipino spirit that pumped and carried the supporting Philippine forces, starring the great Col. Boni Serrano, in its campaign in the Korean war in the mid-Fifties.
To those who have not been told, the late Sen. Benigno Aquino also figured in that war as a correspondent for the Manila Times.
Ninoy Aquino would much later immortalize and enshrine his in-born heroism by coming home from exile in the United States in a noble, fearless bid to save his country from total ruin and the godless greedy grip of a hated dictator.
It was not a simple brand of courage, but a selfless and sublime one, that led the martyred Ninoy Aquino to come home, all the while knowing his life could be taken away by an assasin.
**
Outgunned, but never outfought. This should aptly label the blazing campaign of the Gilas Pilipinas national basketball team in the Fiba Asia championship in China.
It would be grossly unfair to suspect the Gilas team had played a shaky brand of basketball in the final quarter, the reason they flubbed shot after shot at cruhchtime against China.
The Gilas players, in fact, had to be shielded from a boisterous abusive crowd, which was definitely intrigued by the determination of the Filipinos, who had refused to budge despite the terrible odds.
Mauled by biased officiating, threatened, harassed and cursed by a pernicious Chinese crowd, the Filipinos fought as one, refusing to be blown off the court until the finish.
Gilas coach Tad Baldwin would meekly admit they failed to measure up on the floor. But he was quick to swear he would be ready to wage war anytime, anywhere, hand-in-hand with a breed of fearless fighters like Gilas Pilipinas.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
ACCRA WEIGH-IN RESULTS: RICHARDS AND AZEEZ PREPARE FOR HISTORIC CLASH
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Two USA Boxing Junior National Champions Invited to Attend Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Bout Friday in Miami
Sat, 20 Dec 2025Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 19 Dec 2025January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 19 Dec 2025RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
Fri, 19 Dec 2025Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
Fri, 19 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Undefeated Jose Tito Sanchez Returns to Face Jesus Ramirez Rubio in Super Bantamweight Main Event on Friday
Thu, 18 Dec 2025Three boxers aim for finals
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 17 Dec 2025BOOM! Terence Crawford Stuns the World with Retirement at 42-0
By Dong Secuya, Wed, 17 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Biggest “Crossroads” Fight Ever!
By Ralph Rimpell, Wed, 17 Dec 2025